Authenticity Disclaimers – The Red Flag

Ebay doesn’t allow it, you don’t want it, and yet there are sellers out there using it. Why? Because fraudulent sellers want to blame you for their misrepresentations and leave you holding a virtually worthless card to place in your now empty wallet. After all, you should have known better, and it is your fault that you bid $892 on a $2 counterfeit. Oh, wait a minute, they are calling it a “reprint.”

So what exactly does ebay have to say on this matter?

“Sellers may not disclaim knowledge of, or responsibility for, the authenticity or legality of the items offered in their listings. Sellers should take steps to ensure that their items are authentic before listing them on eBay. If a seller cannot verify the authenticity of an item, the seller is not permitted to list it.”

Ebay goes on to state:
“The following statements violate eBay's Authenticity Disclaimer Policy:
"I cannot guarantee the authenticity of this item, so please bid accordingly."
"Vintage Handbag Chanel???"
“Looks like it could be a Louis Vuitton bag”
“I believe this is painted by Degas, but can’t be sure.”

So why do we continue to see these disclaimers on ebay auctions for expensive vintage cards? BECAUSE THEY ARE PROFITABLE! Most go unreported and end with uneducated bidders “winning.” That win is short lived though. Sooner or later the winner finds out that the card is not the real deal, and in one short instant their heart sinks as they realize that they have been taken. It is a hard earned lesson that has deprived them of some, or a lot, of their hard earned money.

I don’t know about you, but I have to work hard for my money, so if someone else wants it, I expect them to work hard for it too! That means that if they are truly ignorant as to the authenticity of the card they are selling, then they should be going to someone else to have it authenticated before listing it.

So if sellers at best ignore, and at worst intentionally violate the rules, why would you want to do business with this person? If your answer is because IF the card is real then it is a great deal, then remember this, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Before You Bid Arm Yourself With Knowledge!